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| − | <h3 class="panel-title">[[File:Page.png]] '''May's''' featured article</h3> | + | <h3 class="panel-title">[[File:Page.png]] '''Jun's''' featured article</h3> |
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| − | ====Deliverance from Family Curses: ==== | + | ====Falling Back Into Sin ==== |
| − | <p><strong>Breaking family curses </strong></p> | + | <p>For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6) </p> |
| − | <p>What are family curses? </p>
| + | <p>I feel this morning like King Josiah when Shaphan the scribe read the Book of the Law to him, the copy that had been discovered when the Temple was being repaired. Oy oy oy! </p> |
| − | | + | <p>I have been reading the Book of Hebrews, trying to get the main themes from it. The primary theme of the Book of Hebrews is a warning to experienced Christians concerning the dangers of backsliding, of growing cold and being hardened by sin. A second important theme, springing from the primary theme, is the exhortation to the Jewish Christians to recognize the superiority of Christ and the atonement made by Him to the Law of Moses and the animal sacrifices. </p> |
| − | <p>By family curses here we, in Christianity, mean curses that come through serious family conflicts. The topic has nothing to do with generational curses. By severe family conflicts we mean conflicts that result in unpleasant words being pronounced against a family member and both or one of them holding bitterness against another. </p>
| + | <p>The second theme springs from the primary theme in that the second theme emphasizes the fact that the atonement made by Christ includes not only the forgiveness of sin but the removal of the sin itself. </p> |
| − | <p>Severe family conflicts without any reconciliation result in distressing experiences among those not willing to settle scores. The trauma that results may be spiritual, social, physical, material or any combination. This may seem like a contradiction after confirming that undeserved curses are powerless. However the area of family politics seems to be a biblical exception. </p> | + | <p>Since the primary theme of the Book of Hebrews is a warning against falling back into sin it is important for the writer to show that the true Christian discipleship is a journey toward the rest of God, that is, toward the place where sin has been overcome in the personality. The overcoming of sin was not possible under the old covenant because the old covenant was limited to the forgiveness of sin. </p> |
| − | <p>There is something about family issues, especially between parents and children. Family politics can make or break the course of the lives of children. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother'--which is the first commandment with a promise—‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth,'” Ephesians 6:1-3. </p> | + | <p>Hebrews 6:4-6 (above) has been difficult for Evangelicals to accept at face value. I have not seen a commentary that accepts the passage as it lies. Today's teachers and scholars simply will not accept the severity of God but rush to assure us that no matter how we behave there is nothing to fear. </p> |
| − | <p> Notice that the commandment has a promise—“that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” The promise is hindered or goes unfulfilled when serious conflicts come in between the parent(s) and a child. </p>
| + | <p>"Thou shalt not surely die." </p> |
| − | <p>The passage that follows talks about parents' input to their children. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord,” Ephesians 6:4. </p> | + | <p>I have read two suggestions as to why Hebrews 6:4-6 cannot possibly mean what it states. </p> |
| − | <p>From here we realize that it's a two way street. If parents treat their children well the children are likely to treat them with honor. There is no single formula of ensuring a two way healthy relationship but it can take so much work, prayer, occasional mistakes, differences, breaking and making up. In the final outcome making up must win to ensure that it “may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” </p> | + | <p>The first suggestion is that no true Christian would ever fall away. Therefore the passage cannot be referring to someone who truly has been saved. </p> |
| − | <p>Parents have immense biblical authority to influence the destiny of their children for better or for worse. Their words are not mere words. They carry with them the power to bless or to curse -socially, spiritually, materially or physically. Children don't have this privilege over their parents. Their words are mere words. Their privilege lies in continuing the family lineage </p> | + | <p>The second suggestion is that the writer of Hebrews has suddenly left his train of thought and is presenting a hypothetical situation. It is not that anyone would actually fall away after having received Christ for if he did he would be crucifying Christ all over again. Therefore it would be impossible for a true Christian to fall away. </p> |
| − | <p>In case a parent uttered cursing words against you or someone you love and channels of reconciliation are still closed please continue praying for God to open them up. It may require sessions of prayer and fasting for God to break the spiritual strongholds over emotions, memories and thoughts that are blocking the way. Like any relationship there is no single formula to reaching a breakthrough. Entrusting it to God will enable him to work in their hearts and minds. </p>
| + | <p>However, the passage does not state that it is impossible for a Christian to fall away but that if he does fall away it is impossible to renew him or her to repentance. </p> |
| − | <p>He may also create matters and events that can facilitate healing and reconciliation. There is no requirement to bind and loose demons in any way. Some resort to binding and loosing spirits they categorize as spirits of division, spirits of unforgiveness, spirits of rebellion, spirits of disrespect, spirits of divorce and so on. It ends up being a ritual of inviting more demonic attacks. </p> | + | <p>I have not read any editor who maintains that if a Christian should fall away it is impossible for the person to be renewed to repentance, which of course is what the passage states. </p> |
| − | <p>The bottom line is that you or anyone you're burdened for would like to close any doors that may provide legal access for problems that come through parent-child conflicts. But you need to follow prescriptions that are in line with scripture, regardless of the urgency. No short-cuts to deliverance, unless endorsed by the bible. Commit more days of prayer and fasting if possible. Fasting brings amazing breakthroughs. Walk in love, mercy, charity, read more on biblical deliverance on family matters, etc. </p> | + | <p>This issue is clear in my mind at this time. May God help me to present it clearly to you. </p> |
| − | <p>Any one in courtship with someone who has scores to settle with parents is better off waiting and praying for the conflict to be settled before getting into a marriage. Without the conflict settled you could have a rough road ahead. Consolidating such areas is an asset for a strong foundation against life's storms. </p> | + | <p>[[Falling Back Into Sin 2]] </p> |
| − | <p>Another area that can bring family related curses is when one side of parents refuse to approve a marriage partner of their child. For example some multiracial relationships end up in major problems and eventual separation not because of supposed cultural differences. Many of us have more than one racial descent, however long ago, so at least no one has room to assume there's any bias against interracial relationships. The bias is against parental bullying to the extent of disregarding personal interests of the children. </p> | + | |
| − | <p>Many of the major problems in multiracial relationships, if they arise, come from one or both sides of the marriage not approving the relationship. These lead to words said directly or in the absence of the children that curse the relationship. Tensions grow from the parent(s) disapproving with a determination to see the relationship fail. For such reasons I wish God never gave parents such influence that can bless or curse their children. But he is God. We will some day know why he has made this set-up, giving our parents some god-like powers. </p> | + | |
| − | <p>In a non-racial or ethnic example a minister and his fiancée went ahead and got married when the parents to his wife strongly disapproved. This is a man after God's heart, serving in front-line ministry. But even this could not help save their marriage when the parents continued their disapproval. To some extent he and his wife did not see it as a major area of concern and probably devoted less prayer to it. </p> | + | |
| − | <p>For anyone already in a marriage with some form of family tension identify your area of prayer and let God fight your battles. Many couples have prevailed whether from a disapproved marriage or one partner having personal conflict with a parent. </p> | + | |
| − | <p>God has now joined you together. Let no man or woman pull you apart because of some spiritual influence God gave them which they're misusing to curse instead of bless. But devote much prayer to it (and occasional fasting) so that reconciliation, healing and approval wins the day. </p>
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| − | <p>The following principles define the nature of family politics and how it needs to remain a work of team effort rather than one of personal interests: </p> | + | |
